Golden leaves Jefferson Public Radio

Thursday

Jun 28, 2007 at 2:00 AMJan 21, 2011 at 9:40 AM

Chris Rizo,Ashland Daily Tidings

Golden considers —

Jeff Golden will no longer be heard on Jefferson Public Radio, the station announced Thursday.

Ron Kramer, executive director of JPR, said after the Daily Tidings first reported that Golden is considering a run for the U.S. Senate, the station and Golden "reached a mutual agreement that it was not feasible for him to continue" hosting "The Jefferson Exchange."

Kramer said he was "entirely unaware" that Golden, a former Jackson County commissioner, had political aspirations until Tuesday, the day before the Tidings ran its front page story.

Golden was at Jefferson Public Radio for nearly 10 years, and was paid $31,308 last year.

Kramer said the station will name an interim host for the talk-radio program, adding that the station is committed to continuing with the popular show.

In a statement released by JPR, Golden said, "I think JPR owes it to its listeners and members to avoid giving advantages of any kind to possible political candidates, and four hours of air time every day is plainly an advantage."